Woodspun 2018

John O'Shea was interviewed  recently for Woodspun and Cork Craft Month August 2018. John  will also demonstrate at the gallery in Kinsale.

.Workshop Report March 24 201

Jerry Twomey

Next up was Jerry Twomey, our Chapter Safety Coordinator and several years a demonstrator. Jerry always comes up with something interesting and today was no different with ‘inside out’ turning a lamp. He has a very good approach to woodturning which is one well planned step at a time. And as a result he worked through the process making a potentially complex process very simple.

Here are the main points:

1. Check that the four pieces are square (90degrees).
2. Glue in pairs with paper joints so that they will be easily split apart later.
3. Fix squares of ply to the ends to avoid the centres, particularly the tailstock centre from splitting the pieces.
4. Turn the required shape to the blank leaving some square material on both ends.
5. Split the joints and reverse the pieces carefully.
6. Permanently glue the four pieces leaving the turned area to the inside.
7. Optionally a decorative spindle can be fitted to the centre before the final gluing to camouflage the electric cable.   
8. Replace the plywood squares.
9. Turn desired shape and put a spigot at one end to fit base.
10. Turn base and fit to stem.

Jerry’s demo again should appeal to all levels. The beauty of Jerry’s project is that it can be made from small cross-sectional stock, 2”x 2”(50x50) and a small circular piece for the base.

A Big Thank You! Jerry from all of us.

See photos of Jerry’s demo below and also the Competition Winners.

And as always a Report like this will never substitute for the real thing so update your calendar if you  haven’t already

Peter Manning 2nd Advanced with Sean McSweeney Judge 

John Ahen 1st Advanced

Jerry Twomey with finished piece

John Ahern

Demo Piece

W

Senan 1st Beginners with Ger Hennessy Judge

Kevin 1st Intermediate with Ger Hennessy Judge

Jin Donovan 3rd Advanced

Workshop Report March 24^th.

John Ahern.

John Ahern, esteemed Chairman, stood up to give the first demonstration of the day. Two parts - part one on sharpening and part two on texturing. He began by stating that nice tools, equipment and timber is to no avail without “ edge “ “ and I mean good sharp tools all the time”. He then went on to explain the difference between “grinding” and “sharpening”(honing). Grinding is where you take a damaged cutting edge or an unsatisfactory grind angle and re-shape it that will necessitate the removal of substantial steel. Whereas sharpening (honing) is the removal of the minimum steel to regain keen edge on a dull tool. John went on to introduce his preferred grinding/sharpening system, the Sorby Pro Edge. This is a belt system with a variety of belts available: aluminium oxide for carbon steel (carpentry and joinery tools), Zirconium for high-speed steel and Ceramic also for HSS but more effective and longer lasting. Johns demo was carefully thought out and dealt with questions as they arose. It was obvious that John was convinced of this system and it delivered great edge as he demonstrated later.

The following are main points:

Grinding.

1. Start with 60grit and work through each grit.
2. Keep flutes clean and be extremely careful around that cutting edge.
3. Finish off with 3000 grit.
4. Optional is fine honing on a strop or leather pad. Homemade pad – ensure smooth leather side is glued down with rough side up.

John also touched on different grindstone types and the importance of keeping the surface of the stone true and clean – there are a variety of dressing tools available. On he went to give a show of fine shavings with each tool previously sharpened. All were impressed. He also demonstrated how a bowl gouge could be used with one hand to stress that with good edge there is no need for force of any sort. To push home the point a little further, when in doubt, stop the lathe and reassess your whole approach – guaranteed its poor edge.

Texturing.

Having comprehensively covered grinding and sharpening John proceeded to an overview of texturing and provided some good tips:

1. 1000rpm.
2. Rotary head on texturing tool held at 45 degrees.
3. Encouraged experimentation with speed and angle of address.
4. Colour can be applied with ink markers to highlight the actual texture.
5. A beads or a simple vee can emphasise and separate certain sections of texturing.

Overall a very good and informative demo with plenty for the beginner and the more experienced. The overall thrust of his demo throughout was on the importance of “edge” and this cannot be overstated. So it was good for everyone, I’m sure, to take a moment to reflect on this most important aspect of woodturning.

Thank You! John.

See photos of Johns demo below.

As Always the members would like to thank today's judges Sean Mc Sweeney and Ger Hennessy for judging the competition, and also for their excellent critique.  

Cork Chapter Heads Up.

CORK CHAPTER, WOODTURNING SEMINAR AND MASTERCLASS 

2018.

 Saturday, 21st  and Masterclass Sunday 22nd April 

 at

The Scout Centre

Togher,

CORK

Registration: 9.00-10.00 a.m.  Demonstration commencing at 10.00 a.m. sharp

FEATURED TURNER: Kieran Reynold, well known Dublin based Turner

Cost of seminar:  €50.00.

Hot Lunch and Dessert included. Free tea/coffee will be provided for breaks and for lunch.

Contact: Mick Bouchier at 086 8520542 or email mick.bouchier@gmail.com, before 14^th April, if possible.

There will be an OPEN competition.  Bring your pieces on the day - you may enter 3 pieces.

There may be a few places available for a Masterclass on the following day.  These will be filled on a first come basis.

Annual Seminar 2018.

Annual Seminar.
Cork Chapter of the Irish Woodturners Guild will hold their annual Seminar at the Scout Hall, Tramore Road junction with Togher Road (Eircode: T12 W658), on Saturday 21st April.
Kieran Reynolds is the guest demonstrator and to see samples of his work check-out Pinterest.ie.

Competition.

The Competition  will be an Open Competition.
Each person attending can submit 3 pieces.

The Master Class on Sunday the 22nd April will be held in the Home Workshop of Tony Farrell, The Gables, Ballinora, Waterfall (Eircode: T12 W8NY).


Regards,

Michael Bouchier, Secretary Cork Chapter IWG

Cork Chapter Heads Up.

Hi All,

The March Workshop will be held on the 4^th Saturday  of the month, 24^th March 2018 at 1.30pm in Old School, Togher Road. (3^rd Saturday, St. Patrick’s Day).

Competition is a “Toothpick Holder”.

Demonstrators:

John Ahern and Jerry Twomey.

 *** Beginners Classes will take place before the Workshop, commencing at 12.30pm.

*** If you are attending the Beginners Classes, please let me know by email or text in advance.

I

Regards,

Michael Bouchier, Secretary Cork Chapter IWG

Display at February Workshop.    Photo  Pat Dromey 

Cork Chapter Heads Up.

Hi All,

The March Workshop will be held on the 4^th Saturday  of the month, 24^th March 2018 at 1.30pm in Old School, Togher Road. (3^rd Saturday, St. Patrick’s Day).

Competition is a “Toothpick Holder”.

Demonstrators: John Ahern and Jerry Twomey.

Regards,

Michael Bouchier, Secretary Cork Chapter IWG